Central Coast Mariners vs Melbourne Victory Prediction: Tips and Best Bets Preview

It’s Central Coast Mariners vs Melbourne Victory in a prediction, tips and best bets preview here at bettingexpert. Current holders and two-time A-League Championship winners, Central Coast Mariners, face Australia’s second-most successful club, Melbourne Victory, in a likely barnstorming affair at the Sydney Football Stadium. 

Both sides are chasing another A-League title to add to their illustrious trophy cabinets against the backdrop of the Asian Cup, which has affected both sides. Matthew O’Regan has three selections for the match. 

Central Coast Mariners vs Melbourne Victory Prediction and Tips Preview

1. Central Coast Mariners vs Melbourne Victory Tip 1: Over 3.0 Goal Line
2. Central Coast Mariners vs Melbourne Victory Tip 2: Angel Torres and Zinedine Machach 2+ Shots on Target Each
3. Central Coast Mariners vs Melbourne Victory Tip 3: Angel Torres to Score

In this article:

• Central Coast Mariners vs Melbourne Victory Team News
• The Predicted A League Table
• Central Coast Mariners vs Melbourne Victory Stats Preview
• How to watch Central Coast Mariners vs Melbourne Victory
• Safer Gambling

Central Coast Mariners vs Melbourne Victory Tip 1: Strikes expected

Australia , A-League , Saturday, January 13th, 06:15 (UK)

Over the years, Central Coast Mariners have developed a reputation for their entertaining, easy-on-the-eye football, winning many plaudits for their attacking impetus. On their way to winning their second A-League Championship last campaign, the Mariners scored 55 goals in 26 league games, with their matches seeing an average of 3.46 goals.

Championship winning manager Nick Montgomery departed to Hibernian in September, with ex Milton Keynes Dons manager Mark Jackson taking the reigns. The 46-year-old has continued the attacking philosophy, with Mariners averaging two goals a game and conceding 17, seeing their games average 3.54 goals.

An attacking quarter of Marco Tulio, Angel Torres, Alou Kuol and last seasons player of the season Joshua Nisbet was the fear of many Australian teams, but it has recently been weakened with the departure of Tulio to Kyoto Sanga in Japan. Alas, CCM are blessed with attacking talent, with over 2.5 goals landing a joint league high of 9/11 (82%).

Restoring Clarity

Australia’s second most successful club Melbourne Victory are hoping to restore some clarity after an inconsistent few seasons. Last season, Tony Popovic’s side stuttered to a disappointing 11th placed finish, just two points clear of bottom side Macarthur. Before this, the 2021/22 season saw the Victory record a second place finish to arrest a mini slump of finishing 10th and 12th previously.

Popovic has breathed new life into the Victory this season, with his side sat atop of the table, two points clear of second place Wellington Phoenix, boasting the best attacking record in the league. Melbourne Victory have scored in 11/12 games this season- the exception of a tetchy 0-0 draw against cross-city rivals Melbourne City. The loss of league top scorer Bruno Fornaroli to the Asia Cup is obviously a big blow, but Popovic has an abundance of attacking talent to call upon.

Central Coast Mariners and Melbourne Victory are the two most in-form teams over the last five games, winning four and drawing one, scoring an abundance of goals between them. We should be in for an absolute classic of a game in Sydney.

• Central Coast vs Melbourne Victory Tip 1: Over 3.0 Goals  (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 2.00
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 10/10

Central Coast Mariners vs Melbourne Victory Tip 2: Torres and Machach the star pairing

The signing of Angel Torres from Maltese club Balzan FC was another endearment to CCM’s astute recruitment. 15 goals in 23 league games was enough for the Mariners to take a punt on the 23-year-old winger and the signing has certainly reaped it’s rewards thus far, with the Colombian bagging six goals in ten games.

But it is not just his goals that make Torres such an attractive attacking option for Mark Jackson. The Colombian has shown a willingness to shoot and an attacking naivety that is a goldmine for shot backers. Torres is undoubtedly one of the best players in the league, but still shows signs of rawness, sometimes leading to the wrong decision in front of goal. However, he is averaging 3.70 shots per 90 and 1.48 shots on target per 90 in the league.

Arriving from Greek side Ionikos Fc, Zinedine Machach has been pivotal in Melbourne Victory’s unbeaten start to the season. The Frenchman took some adapting to the league, but has found form in recent weeks, scoring in three of the last four games. With top scorer Bruno Fornaroli away on Asia Cup duty, the onus is on Machach to carry the attacking burden. The 28-year-old has relished the added attacking responsibility, recording 13 shots and 10 shots on target over the last five games.

If Machach and Torres continue their recent shot on target form, this 19.00 bet should give us real value for money.

• Central Coast Mariner vs Melbourne Victory  Tip 2: Angel Torres and Zinedine Machach 2+ Shots on Target Each (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 19.00
• Bookmaker: Bet365
• Stake: 5/10

Central Coast Mariners vs Melbourne Victory Tip 3: Torres to extend goal-scoring form

I have waxed lyrical on the ability of Angel Torres in the previous tip but the Colombian’s attacking ability knows no limits.

Torres boasts eight goal contributions in 10 starts for CCM, becoming a firm fan favourite. As is natural for a young player in a new league, Australia took some adapting, with Torres failing to record a goal contribution in his first four league games, in addition to a red card for violent conduct in his third league game.

However, in his last six games, Torres has excelled, scoring six goals and assisting two. A second half hat trick saw the Mariners battle to a 3-3 draw with league favourites Melbourne City, before a second half brace consolidated CCM’s lead over Brisbane Roar. Torres also scored a penalty to level the game in the 2-2 draw with Melbourne Victory earlier in the season.

Torres is a player who fuels off confidence, and six goals in as many games is enough to spur him on to extending his hot streak this Saturday.

• Central Coast Mariners vs Melbourne Victory Tip 3: Angel Torres to Score (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 3.10
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 5/10

Central Coast Mariners vs Melbourne Victory Prediction odds via bet365 as at 15:00  January 10 2024. Odds may now differ.

Central Coast Mariners vs Melbourne Victory Team News Preview: Missing talisman for Victory

Central Coast Mariners have avoided the mass exodus that the Asia Cup and AFCON have caused for teams globally. However, star man Marco Tulio has now officially completed his move to Kyoto Sanga Fc. Despite this, Mark Jackson heads into this tie with a strong squad.

The obvious absentee for Melbourne Victory is key man Bruno Fornaroli who has scored 13 goals in 10 matches this season. The 36-year-old veteran has been called up to Graham Arnold’s squad, hoping to add to his two caps. Aside from this, Anthony Popovic has a ful strength side to choose from .

Central Coast Mariners vs Melbourne Victory Stats Preview: Teaser

• In the last five games, Melbourne Victory and Central Coast Mariners are the two most in-form teams with 13 points from a possible 15.
• Melbourne Victory are the league’s leading scorers with 24 goals.
• Central Coast Mariners are the third top scorers in the division with 22.
• The last away win in this fixture came eight matches ago.

How To Watch

• Central Coast Mariners vs Melbourne Victory, A League.
• Date and Time: Saturday 13th January, 6:15
• How to Watch or Stream on TV (UK): TNT SPORTS

Safer Gambling

At bettingexpert, we always take a safe approach to gambling. We’ll never bet more than we can afford or chase losses. For more advice, head to our Safer Gambling hub.